Considering adopting a rescue dog from CHDR?

Thank you for your interest in adopting from Coco's Heart Dog Rescue. Coco's Heart will adopt animals to adults (must be 18 or older) who demonstrate they are responsible individuals and can provide adequate assurances that they intend to provide proper care for an animal's entire life. We strictly adhere to our adoption process as it is designed to find the best possible placement for each homeless dog in rescue. The basic steps are described below. Please read the entire process before inquiring or applying. *Please note that meeting the dog you are interested in will happen once you fill out an application for the dog you would like to meet. This process allows us to keep an order of applicants. *Please also check your bulk/junk email folder for our replies.

If you are currently working with another rescue, we ask that you complete the process with that rescue before applying with us. Also, the application states that if you are not prepared for adoption at the time you apply, please wait to apply until you are ready to bring the dog into your home. We cannot hold dogs in rescue. We have implemented a $25 processing fee for any application submitted (a one time fee per person). This fee is non-refundable regardless if approved or not. We will not answer or process an application if we do not receive the fee. Payment can be made HERE

Before you fill out the application (link at the bottom of this page), read the below information, the PDF at the bottom of this page and also visit our FAQs page.

Why do we have a processing fee?Our processing fee helps support our administration efforts, while striving to make lifelong matches and ensuring our efforts help our dogs find homes. If the dog you originally apply for is not available or not a match, we will commit to working with you and helping you find a good fit and lifelong match!

In the first 3 months of 2016, we had 930 applications come into our rescue. After processing all of these applications on day 1 and 2 by our coordinators, less than 50% of applicants responded back. Out of the remaining 50% of our applicants, about 20% of those applicants replied and said they had already adopted elsewhere after they submitted their application. What does that mean? Only about 30% of our total applicants ended up adopting despite our best efforts to process applications and make matches in a timely manner. That resulted in a lot of wasted processing time for a non profit dog rescue!

We clearly outline our process for people to read before they apply. We want to help find a dog for 100% of our applicants. We suggest researching different rescues and applying to ONE rescue that you relate to their mission and want to support. Don't worry so much about the specific dog's photo that you are drawn to, choose the rescue, not the dog. We value high quality vet care and matchmaking. We value applicants that appreciate our process. It takes patience to go through rescue for your next pet, and it is not for everyone. Some might prefer to go to their local shelter to be able to look at many dogs and bring one home same day. That is great! We are all here to complete one mission-to save dogs and give them stable homes for the rest of their lives!

Step One- Research!

A companion animal as a member of your family is a wonderful and enriching experience. They're loyal, lovable, furry best friends and can bring tons of joy to your life. However, the decision to add a new dog or cat to your family should not be taken lightly- it is a lifetime commitment and before you adopt a new pet, you should do your research and be fully aware of what is involved in pet ownership.

Step Two- Application

Complete our adoption application and pay our processing fee HERE. The adoption application is your opportunity to tell us all about yourself! We would like to know as much as we can to determine which pets would be a good match with your home, family, and lifestyle. Remember, we are a completely foster-based rescue group, so each of our adoptable animals lives in a temporary foster home. As such, we know all the little nuances and details of the pet’s behavior, personality, habits, etc. Decisions about application approval are at the sole discretion of CHDR. We are committed to finding our pets a successful match in a forever home. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received M-F. (We only accept applications for dogs posted on our website. Please allow 1-3 business days for a response. If we have not received the processing fee, we will not process or answer your application.) This is the first step to set up a meet and greet! We document all of our correspondences via email to ensure our process is followed and runs smoothly. **Please read the PDF at the bottom of this page outlining our process once you apply!!

Step Three-Application Review

Our sole purpose is to find the best match for the animals that fall under our care. We take time to carefully review all applications, complete background checks and call veterinary and personal references. We contact your veterinarian references to ensure that current and/or deceased pets were properly taken care of; this includes being current on all vaccinations and spayed/neutered.

***CHDR reserves the right to deny any applications that we deem unfit or unsuitable for the animal.

Step Four- Home Visit and Meet and Greet

Applications that are qualified to be a good fit for a particular pet are subject to a home visit by authorized representatives of Coco's Heart Dog Rescue. Adopting a new pet into your home is a serious commitment- we want to ensure the dog or cat you adopt will be a good fit within your home environment. How do they interact with the family members? Where will they stay when you're not home? Is your home and yard free of any possible dangers? How will they get exercise? It is an easy, simple process!

After the home visit, if everything goes well, we will make arrangements to finalize the adoption and contractual details including the collection of adoption fees.

Step Five- Adoption!!!

Don't forget to bring a leash for your new dog!

On the day of the adoption you will meet at the arranged location and we will review the adoption agreement with you and answer any questions you may have. We will also collect the adoption fee at this time. Remember the adoption fee is non-refundable. Adoption fees fund our rescue efforts and supports the care of animals within CHDR while they are waiting to be adopted.

And don't forget, your relationship with CHDR doesn't end here... We're always available to answer any questions, make training recommendations, and assist you in providing a home to your new dog!

Adoption Fees: Where do they go?

Coco’s Heart adoption fees go back to funding our rescue mission. We take in several sick and injured dogs and provide excellent care to our rescue dogs. We often have very large vet bills as a result. Our only income is from adoption fees and fundraisers. We also have business expenses including insurance, supplies, boarding, gas, etc.. Our adoption fees are listed under each dog's profile. We are also required to charge SALES TAX which is included in the cost.

Each of our dogs are evaluated by an outside veterinarian and are brought up-to-date on preventative care including:

On top of these services we have often taken in sick, special needs and injured dogs that require expensive/extensive treatments(c-sections, amputations, infections, lacerations, mass removals, heartworm treatments, hospitalization, MRI’s etc..).

If you question our adoption fees we urge you to research the cost of the vet care we provide automatically to our rescue dogs. We feel that this is the minimum vet care that each family should maintain with their family dog.

Note: If you cannot afford an adoption fee you should not adopt a dog. The adoption fee is just the beginning of the financial expense incurred with the addition of a furry friend to your family. It is not fair to the dog if you are unable to provide adequately for them- that includes in emergency situations that can quickly add up financially. Have a back-up plan for large vet bills. We recommend Pet Plan or Trupanion Insurance. We also urge you to look into Care Credit if you have an unexpected bill that you cannot afford. Please be prepared to provide financially for your furry family members.